Shelling Mistake Poem by Herbert Nehrlich

He did remember from his basic training
how to propel a handgrenade and drop
onto the ground and shield his eyes and face.
But nerves play tricks on muscles so it happened
that one called flexor digitorum lost resolve
and half a kilogram of powder full of purpose
had landed right in front of his new boots.
Spit shined that morning, army issue, Corporal
they did remain almost intact, the rest was dust
and bits of flesh, some hair and bony splinters.
He did not have a chance to learn from one mistake.